Studying in Japan has always been an attractive choice for Vietnamese students. However, the cost of living in Japan is relatively high. Therefore, the JASSO Scholarship has become a practical financial solution that helps many international students reduce economic pressure during their studies. So what is this scholarship, what are the requirements, and how can you apply to increase your chances of nomination?

The article below will help you understand everything from A to Z about the JASSO Scholarship.

What is the JASSO Scholarship? Explore the complete JASSO Scholarship support program for studying in Japan.

What is the JASSO Scholarship?

What is the JASSO Scholarship?

The JASSO Scholarship is administered by JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization), an organization under the Japanese government that supports students. This organization implements various financial aid programs for international students studying in Japan.

Unlike fully funded scholarships such as MEXT, the JASSO Scholarship mainly provides monthly living expense support, helping self-financed international students reduce their financial burden.

>> Read more: Master’s Scholarship in Japan 2026: MEXT Master’s Scholarship & Successful Application Experience

Common Types of JASSO Scholarship

Common Types of JASSO Scholarship

• Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship: This is a type of JASSO Scholarship for privately financed international students studying in Japan who demonstrate strong academic performance. This scholarship provides monthly living expense support, helping students reduce financial pressure during their studies.
• Student Exchange Support Program: This program is a type of JASSO Scholarship that supports students participating in short-term exchange programs between universities. The stipend is usually higher than the long-term category, helping international students study with peace of mind and experience the Japanese education environment.
• School-Nominated JASSO Scholarship: This form of JASSO Scholarship is awarded through nomination by a university or educational institution in Japan. Students are evaluated based on academic performance, discipline, and financial circumstances. The school selects suitable candidates and submits the nomination list to JASSO.

Financial Support of the JASSO Scholarship

The stipend of the JASSO Scholarship is designed to support monthly living expenses for international students in Japan. Specifically:

• 48,000 yen per month: Applicable to undergraduate, junior college, vocational school, and Japanese language school students.
• 80,000 yen per month: Applicable to students participating in short-term exchange programs under special support categories of the JASSO Scholarship.

The financial support from the JASSO Scholarship is provided monthly during the approved period and does not require repayment, helping students reduce financial pressure and focus better on their studies in Japan.

Latest JASSO Scholarship Requirements 2026

To be considered for the JASSO Scholarship, international students must meet all criteria regarding academic performance, residency status, and financial circumstances according to program regulations. Specifically:

1. Academic Requirements for the JASSO Scholarship

• GPA must meet the school’s requirement (typically 2.3/3.0 or equivalent and above).
• Maintain good study habits, regular attendance, and no disciplinary violations during study in Japan.

Stable academic performance is an important factor in increasing the chance of being nominated for the JASSO Scholarship.

2. Residency Status Requirements

Residence Status Requirements to Receive the JASSO Scholarship

Must hold a valid “Student” visa in Japan throughout the period of receiving the JASSO Scholarship.

Students without the correct residency status are not eligible for the scholarship.

3. Financial Requirements

Financial Requirements in the JASSO Scholarship Program

• Must demonstrate genuine financial need.
• Must not receive other scholarships with financial support exceeding the permitted amount during the same period of receiving the JASSO Scholarship.

This criterion ensures that the scholarship is awarded to the appropriate candidates who truly need support.

4. Mandatory Requirement for JASSO Scholarship Consideration

• Must be nominated by a university or educational institution in Japan.
• Cannot apply directly to the JASSO organization.

Thus, the most important factor in the JASSO Scholarship requirements is nomination from the current school, as this is the decisive step in the selection process.

>> Read more: How to Get a Scholarship to Study in Japan Effectively: MEXT Scholarships, Japanese Language Scholarships, and Practical Experience

JASSO Scholarship Stipend and Duration

The duration of the JASSO Scholarship typically lasts from 6 months to 12 months, depending on the academic program and the decision of the nominating institution.

For students participating in international exchange programs, the duration of the JASSO Scholarship corresponds to the actual study period in Japan.

The stipend of the JASSO Scholarship is intended only to support monthly living expenses and does not cover tuition fees, airfare, or insurance.

Compared to the fully funded MEXT scholarship, the JASSO Scholarship provides lower financial support but is more accessible, especially suitable for self-financed international students who want to reduce financial pressure during their studies in Japan.

How to Apply for the JASSO Scholarship to Increase Nomination Chances

Since students cannot apply directly to JASSO, the most effective way to apply for the JASSO Scholarship is to focus on your application through the school.

Step 1: Research Schools with JASSO Scholarship Quotas

Research Schools with JASSO Scholarship Quotas

Not every university or educational institution in Japan has JASSO Scholarship quotas every year. Therefore, you should:

• Proactively contact the international office of the school
• Monitor the official website of the school
• Clarify the number of available quotas and the selection timeline

Choosing the right school that allocates the JASSO Scholarship is a foundational step that determines your opportunity.

Step 2: Prepare a Complete and Persuasive JASSO Scholarship Application

Prepare a Complete and Persuasive JASSO Scholarship Application

The JASSO Scholarship application typically includes:

• Academic transcript: Demonstrates stable academic performance
• Study Plan: Clearly presents goals and specific future orientation
• Letter of recommendation: From a lecturer or academic advisor
• Financial proof documents: Demonstrate actual financial need

Among these, the study plan is an important factor that helps the selection committee evaluate your seriousness and direction.

Step 3: Demonstrate Strong Academic Ability and Attitude

When reviewing the JASSO Scholarship, schools usually prioritize:

• Students with high and stable GPA
• No disciplinary violations and good attendance
• Active participation in extracurricular or research activities
• Clear academic and career goals

Since the JASSO Scholarship is awarded through school nomination, the impression you leave on lecturers and the international office plays a crucial role.

Step 4: Submit Application on Time and Monitor Notifications

Students need to:

• Monitor emails and announcements from the international office
• Prepare the documents according to required formats
• Submit before the deadline to avoid unexpected errors

Missing the deadline may cause you to lose the opportunity to be considered for the JASSO Scholarship even if you meet all eligibility criteria.

Effective Roadmap for Preparing a JASSO Scholarship Application

Effective Roadmap for Preparing a JASSO Scholarship Application

To increase the chance of being nominated for the JASSO Scholarship, students should prepare through a clear roadmap across three important stages:

• Pre-departure stage before going to Japan: Choose a school with annual JASSO Scholarship quotas, maintain a strong GPA in Vietnam, build a clear academic direction, and prepare a well-organized personal profile to create a competitive foundation.
• Post-enrollment stage in Japan: Maintain stable academic performance, ensure attendance and compliance with school regulations; proactively update information about the JASSO Scholarship from the international office and actively participate in academic or extracurricular activities.
• Nomination application stage for the JASSO Scholarship: Complete documents according to school requirements, clearly present academic goals and future plans, submit the application on time, and closely follow the review process.

Careful preparation at each stage will significantly increase your opportunity to receive the JASSO Scholarship.

ANKOI – Accompanying You in Securing the JASSO Scholarship and Studying in Japan Effectively

Preparing a well-structured application from the beginning not only increases your chances of accessing the JASSO Scholarship, but also expands opportunities to receive other financial support programs when studying in Japan. A proper strategy helps you become more proactive in the nomination process and improve your chances of being selected for the JASSO Scholarship from the first academic year.

ANKOI – Accompanying You in Securing the JASSO Scholarship and Studying in Japan Effectively

ANKOI is a Japanese study abroad consulting organization that accompanies students in their journey to conquer the JASSO Scholarship through:

• Advising on selecting suitable schools with annual JASSO Scholarship quotas
• Building a study roadmap to optimize GPA and personal profile
• Guiding the preparation and completion of nomination applications for the JASSO Scholarship according to criteria
• Updating the latest scholarship information and policy changes each year

With transparency, clear costs, and prioritizing student benefits, ANKOI not only supports you in accessing the JASSO Scholarship, but also accompanies you throughout the entire journey from preparing documents in Vietnam to settling into study and life in Japan.

To increase your opportunity to receive the JASSO Scholarship, you need to prepare your application early, maintain strong academic performance, and proactively seek information from your school. A clear roadmap from the beginning will significantly increase your nomination rate and access to suitable support programs.

If you are interested in the JASSO Scholarship and would like structured guidance for studying in Japan, explore more information on ANKOI’s website so you do not miss the latest scholarship updates.